Statistics reveal that people of any age are at greater risk of severe illness from COVID-19 if they have underlying medical conditions such as “COPD, asthma, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, chronic kidney disease, obesity, immunocompromised, sickle cell, smoking and pregnancy” according to CDC data. These medical conditions effect the lives of many people, especially in the black community.
According to the CDC a great number of people who die from COVID-19 had underlying condition such as diabetes. Diabetes is a worldwide pandemic. Type 2 diabetes is rampant, especially in the black community. According to the CDC, “79,535 deaths occur each year due to diabetes.” Where is the focus on preventing diabetes? According to reports from ADA “more Americans will die from diabetes than from aids and breast cancer combined.”
The CDC reports that “2.8 million people die each year as a result of being overweight and obese”. The National Institutes of Health reported “obesity and overweight together are the second leading cause of preventable death in the US, close behind tobacco use.” There are nearly “18.2 million adults 20 years of age or older that have been diagnosed with Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)”. 655,000 Americans die each year from heart disease.
National Student Minister Ishmael Muhammad recently delivered a sermon entitled “America’s Wicked Plan” where he laid out the statistics on the devasating pre-conditions that effect so many. Why would the government’s focus be on delivering a COVID vaccine instead of treating the underlying medical conditions? Minister Ismael Muhammad said “We don’t want this vaccine”. The Minister cautioned those black doctors and nurses that are urging black people to participate in COVID vaccine clinical trials “This is not the time to be a sell out for nearness to the enemy to protect your status and position”. “We should come together and conduct independent research” said Minister Ishmael Muhammad.
